Taut-line Hitch
An adjustable friction hitch forming a loop that can be repositioned when unloaded and grip when tension is applied.
Knot
Knots: the baffling blend of math, physics, and ancient mariner sorcery that keeps your boat in one piece and your sanity in tatters. Did you know there’s a knot for literally everything? Tying up a dinghy? A round turn and two half-hitches should do the trick. Want to hang a hammock? Clove hitch. Trying to impress someone? Monkey’s fist. And then there’s the square knot—perfect for binding things together or confusing new sailors for hours. But beware: using the wrong knot can be the nautical equivalent of wearing flip-flops to a black-tie event. Don’t get tangled up—let us help you tie the line, not your brain!
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Standing Part
The portion of a rope or line that is not being actively manipulated while a knot is formed. It lies away from the working end and often carries or leads towards the main load. The boundary between standing and working parts depends on the operation being described rather than on a permanent marked section of…
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Turn
A single encirclement of a rope around an object or another part of the rope. A turn changes the rope’s direction and creates friction around a post, ring, spar or rope. The exact amount of encirclement distinguishes a turn from a round turn, which wraps farther around the object before the rope leads away. Turns…
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Overhand Loop
A loop formed so that its working part crosses over the standing part. The crossing direction distinguishes an overhand loop from an underhand loop, in which the working part passes beneath the standing part. Recognising the difference helps describe and teach the early stages of many bends, hitches and knots. A loop is a rope…
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Underhand Loop
A loop formed so that its working part crosses beneath the standing part. The crossing direction distinguishes it from an overhand loop, in which the working part passes over the standing part. The distinction is used when describing the construction and orientation of knots. An underhand loop is a rope form rather than necessarily a…
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Fid
A tapered tool used to open rope strands and assist with splicing and ropework. A traditional fid is commonly wood or metal and is pushed between the strands of laid rope without cutting or damaging them. It creates space for another strand to be tucked during an eye splice, short splice or similar work. Modern…
If you belive the Earth is flat, you're about to fall of the end...
If you belive the Earth is flat, you're about to fall of the end...
